Metering device for tape dispensers



March 9, 1954 A. c. HUMMEL METERING DEVICE FOR TAPE DISPENSERS 2Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Jan. 25 1951 March 9, 1954 A, c HUMMEL METERINGDEVICE FOR TAPE DISPENSERS Filed Jan. 25', 1951 2 Sheets-Sheet 2Zmventor. flua'usr C. Hum/MEL,

attorneys.

Patented Mar. 9, 1954 -UNITED STATES ?TENT OFFICE METERING DEVICE FORTAPE DISPENSERS August 0. Hummel, Cincinnati, Ohio Application January25, 1951, Serial No. 207,695

Claims. 1

My invention relates to a device which meters or measures the length oftape dispensed by a tape dispenser of the type wherein a shaft isrotated in proportion to the length of tape which is dispensed.

In shipping departments and other places wherein a great amount ofpacking is done, there is usually provided a gummed tape dispenser whichdispenses moistened gummed tape of a length dependent upon the movementof the dispensing handle.

The usual type of manual dispenser carries an arm which is mounted uponthe axle to which the handle is keyed and which runs over a scale duringthe movement of the handle indicating to the operator Where to stopmovement of the handle in order to dispense a length of tape shown bythe indicia indicated by the arm.

I In dispensers of this type, as is apparent, the length of tape isdetermined by the angular position of the operating arm at its limit offorward movement, which in turn is controlled by the operator. Operatorsin a shipping department normally work very rapidly and hence invariablyoverrun their reading of the arm pointer sweeping over the indicia whichresults in cutting ofi alength of tape usually greatly in excess of theamount required. During the course of a day a great deal of tape iswasted by this incorrect dispensing which results in an appreciablewaste of money over a relatively short length of time. Likewise, slowingup the operation to secure lengths closer to those which arepredetermined, results in a considerable loss of time and, therefore,money.

This waste is greatest where the operator dispenses tape of differentlengths in succession and applies generally to most shipping and packingoperations. That is, where he follows a length of twenty inches by alength of twenty-six inches, and possibly then a, length of ten inches.Where the operator is doing some production work which requires numerousstrips of tape of the same length, the machine is usually provided witha movable abutment which may be placed in the path of the handle andthus stop the movement of the handle and the rotation of the axle at thesame predetermined place at all times. However, when different lengthsare dispensed successively, such an abutment is not used.

It is an object of my invention to provide a metering device which isoperated by the rotation of a shaft of the dispenser and which may bemanually set by the operator before the dispensing handle is moved toinsure the stopping 2 of the handle at a predetermined position and thusdispensing at high speed a predetermined length of tape each time thehandle is operated.

It is a further object of my invention to provide a device as describedabove which becomes inoperative just as soon as the predetermined lengthof tape has been dispensed and the handle returns to home position.

A further object of my invention is to provide a metering means asdescribed above which is easily and readily attachable to any dispensingdevice for dispensing a tape or the like wherein the length of tapedispensed is determined by the degree of rotation of a rotating axle.

It is a further object of my invention to provide a metering device asdescribed above which is operated by manually depressible buttons orkeys which carry indicia indicating the amount of tape which will bedispensed upon the depression of said key.

A further object of my invention is to provide a metering device for adispenser which is very rugged in construction, positive in operation,but relatively inexpensive to manufacture and sell and quite simple tomaintain.

While in the drawings and description which follows I have shown mymetering device attached to a specific type of hand operated gum tapedispenser, it is to be understood that I do not intend to limit myselfto such a dispenser, since my device may be used with any type ofdispenser or feeder wherein the length being fed or dispensed is inproportion to the degree of rotation of some rotating shaft within themecha- Figure 1 is a plan view of a tape dispenser in which my meteringdevice is incorporated.

Figure 2 is a side elevation of a dispenser shown in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a cross section of my metering mechanism taken on thesection line of 3-3 of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a perspective view of the abutment arm used in my meteringdevice.

Figure 5 is a cross section of a portion of my metering device showingthe buttons or keys and taken on the section line 5-5 of Figure 3.

Figure 6 is a plan View of a typical key or button used in my meteringdevice.

Figure 7 is a cross section of a typical key or button taken on thesection line 1-1 of Figure 6.

Figure 8 is a cross section of a typical key or button mounted in mymetering device and in operative or abutting position.

Figure 9 is a cross section similar to that shown in Figure 8 with theabutment in contact with the key.

Figure 10" is a cross section similar to that shown in Figure 8 with thekey or button. retracted and out of abutting position.

Briefly, in the practice oflmyginvention, Ipro'- vide an arm which isadapted to be attached to a shaft in a tape dispenser which-has" adegree" of rotation proportional to thedengthzof.theatape" dispensed. nthe end of this arm, I provide an abutment which sweeps through a curvedpathas the shaft to which it is attached is rotated duringthedispensmgmovementi Aidia'cent the path of the abutmenticarriedi bythe-arm} I iprov-ide*a frameworkz or casting which carriev a series ofbuttons or keys which in 2 turn have pins which are: proj ectedif intothe i path' ot 'th'e abutment when the button or' key' is depressed?'I'he keys are arrangedicircumferen tially along the path of 'theabutment and are. pcsitiened so that -their 'pinswhen depressed willstop the abutment and the arm at a predetere mlr'red'position which isdetermined by the length 01 the tape dispensed by the degree or rotationof -the shait ,and'thekeyissolabeled.

The pins whichia-reterminatedby thekeys meme elemen so "that-when a keyis depressed so -the pir'r will" bein the' path of. the abutment; it islatched' into place and' maint'ains that posimm However, the latch issot arranged that when it' is contacted by theaabutment on the arm end,it is released. The pins terminate. in a shoulder" which catchestonaprojection of the ahutment a-lt'erthe latch is released and whichprwentsthei-r return to their non-operative positi'en. Wherr the sh'afton which the arm is mounted is reversed, the" abutment leaves theshoulder on the pin end and permits the pin td*retiim to its"non-operativeposition by means of a; spring incorporated in the keyorbutton.

Fromthe above; it is apparentthat-when a desired length of tapeis tobedispensed, it is onlynecessary-to"depress-thekey or button carry irr'gthe -indi'cia indicatingthelength' to be dispensed. The key; oncedepressed; remains-de pi-essed with its pin in the path of "the abutmentcarried by the arm on the-shaft."

Asth'eshait is rota-tedin the dispensing action, the degree of rotationis determined and stop ped' by ti'ie abutment'on the ar-m' contactingthe-pin of the depressewkey: The latch is thrown but the-heyisstill'held in operative positionby'its projecting? shoulder. When theoperation is returnedto' its home position by'reversing-therotation ofthe shaft; the pin is released" and returns to inoperativeposition'.Hence, the 1engtiioftape'sliown'by the in'dicia on'thebutton'is"'dispensed"an'd the key returned to non-operative position on. eachoperation of the dispenser: when it is'desiredi to dispense a secondlength 0f"tape; another button is depressed selectively, depending upon.the. length. desired.

By this means, the exact length of the tape which is desired isdispensed and the proper deeree of rotation of the shaft to dispensethis amount is insured, irrespective of. the speed of the operator,since it is the projecting pin in the path of the abutment whichdetermines the degree of rotation, and not the visual inspection of theoperator.

Referring to the drawings, Figures 1 and 2 show a manually operatedgummed tape dispenser generally shown at I. The tape is dispensed bymovement of the arm 2 which is keyed to a shaft 3. The length of thetape dispensed is determined by the. angular rotation? of: the-shaft 3,which in turn iscontrolled by the extent of movement of. the handle 2.

As an example, in Figure 2, if the arm is moved to? positiontz'; a?predetermined length of tape 4 is dispensed, While if it is only movedfrom the home position 2 to the position 2, a shorter lengthof tape lwill be dispensed.

Ordinarily, there is an indicator mounted on the shaft 3 similar to theindicator 5 which moves over a scale 6 calibrated in accordance with:thew length? Ofi the tapes dispensed: by; the movement-:ofz'the. arm. 2.predet'ermined lengthtof tape; the operator-moves the: handle 2:; until:the indicator: 5:" is positioned opposite the selected indicia on thedialafiawand then the handle: 2 isripermittedz to"; returm toiits homeposition 25:. In thezevent a'slarge number 01' :strips'of tapecr:thecsam'eilength is; desiredi' therhandnutal is" IOOSBIlEdiZJIdmovedralongxthe are: 8" anch again; locked in position tor limitzthemovement of the handle 2. A is:obvious;.,the correctipositioning ofitheindicator 5 oventhei selected p'ointin the scaleiiiimusta'be' done'bwsighta. quickly and a1 decided: margin 011 error: usually: results;

My metering devicexconsists of apla-teor hous ingrs whichiswbolted=tmthe side of. the dispenses I in anyrconvenient' manner and.which normally houses" the: gears: and rotating: shaft; Withintherhousing; L provide a' radially projectingi" amt lo'which is keyed'tothe shaft 3iandwheldinwpoai= tion by the'nutt- Therarmdo carriesaeprojcctt ingiihger. I I- which: is .-preferalzx'ly;v formei'loisresilient material and which terminates in :.a= hooke like"projection I2:

I preferably mount. the-finger II onta stifli projectionrportlon I 32 ofthe: arm- I I): by; meansof: a bolt Mso that it mayreadily bereplaced:

The' surface of the projection I3 isbeveled: as atwl S and backs up thefingers-I I so asrto limit. the-resilient movementnor give 'of thefinger: '1;

Since the --arm I 0 is keyed: totheshait 3; the rotation of" the shaft 3*moves" the end I2 Off; the? finger-r- I I through. an arcuate path and;the (109" gree of rotation of the shaft 3 equals the-degree? oi:rotation: of the arm- I flaandi finger H, which in: turn meters thetape'beingidispensed.

My housing; 9: is so. constructed; as: to provide an arcuate" track I 6justr outside of" the: arcuate:* path of thefinger' end: I2;

Rositioned in the track. I6, .1 provider 328811881? 01.depressiblerpinswll: which are mounted int holes I 8 in the path. I 6and positioned along; the: path lfi 'at predetermined points sothat whemtheyare-projectedinto :the path .of the :finger. ILI, they willistopthesmovement ofithe-finger I I-and; hence'thwshaft 3 at. a:predetermined degreevoti. rotation. The: pins I II are terminated.byindicia I8 -indicating the? length :of tape to be dispensed? The pinsII=- themselves are preferably termi-- hated by a cap-.- I 9 withxadownwardly: projecting sleeve which. encloses a helical spring.- 2.1whichv surroundsthepinsll. The.pins Ilhavea. cut out.slot. 22.' intheir. sides and are.he1d'.i'n.posi-- tionfip the tinsel:v I 61 by a;vremovablestrip .oiihietfli' lnflordertodispense' az 23 mounted in thecasting 9 which project in the slots 22 and hold the pin H in position,but permit its longitudinal movement of a limited extent.

The pin l1 carries a slot 24 within which is pintled a latch 25 having aprojecting hook 26 which is urged out of the slot 24 by a bend spring 21which abuts the termination of the slot 24 and an upper surface of thelatch 25. The spring 21 is maintained in position by a short projection28 which is inserted in a small hole in the latch 25, as is clearlyshown in Figures 8, 9, and 10.

Referring to Figures 8, 9, and 10, it is apparent that when the buttonor key I8 is depressed, the pin I! is projected downwardly through thetrack l6 and into the path of the finger H, and the hook end 26 of thelatch 25 is forced outwardly by the spring 21 and latches or looks thepin I! in its downward position within the path of the finger l i as isshown in Figure 8.

When the dispenser is operated and the finger l I rotated until itcontacts the pin H which stops the rotation of the shaft 3, it'should benoted that the projecting end l2 of the finger H contacts the projection26 of the latch and forces it inwardly as shown in Figure 9. Thispermits the pin 11 to slide out of its position in the path of thefinger H. However, the pin I1 has a long notch 29 which terminates in ashoulder 30. After the projection I2 on the finger II releases the latch25, it catches on the shoulder 30 of the pin l1 and prevents its removalunder the action of the spring 2| from the path of the finger H as shownin Figure 9. When the shaft 3 is reversed, thus removing the finger IIfrom its contact with the pin H, the pin I! under the force of thespring2l snaps upward and out of its position within the path of thefinger H as shown in Figure 10.

' The above construction of the pin I'I insures that the finger H isstopped and eliminates the possibility of the finger throwing the latchand then passing on beyond the pin I'l. This construction also insuresthe retraction of the pin each time it is contacted by the finger II. Inthe event the handle 2 is operated withexcess force, the resiliency ofthe finger ll cushionsthe stop, while the backing l3 limits the rearwardmovement of the finger II and prevents it from bending to an extentwhereit might break or pass over the projecting pin [1. In the event thefinger I I should become worn or bent, it may be easily replaced bymerely removing the bolt l4 and replacing with a new finger.

If the operator wishes to dispense a great number of strips of the samelength or of any length between two adjacent buttons, I provide thepointer 5 which rides over the tops l8 of the buttons or keys. Thepointer 5 has a shaft portion 5 which fits over the shaft end 3 belowthe nut 4 and is held in its correct position by means of a small tonguewhich projects into the aperture 3| of the arm ID. The end. of thepointer 5 at 5" is bent downwardly and rides over the scale 6. The scale6 is divided into units such as fractions of an inch and, whendesirable, the handle 2 maybe rotated until the 6 scribed is primarilyfor use with a hand operated tape dispenser, it may also be used with anelectric motor driven tape dispenser, where the stopping of the rotationof the shaft 3 and its angular position determines the length of tapewhich is dispensed.

From the above, it is apparent that I have provided a metering devicefor tape dispensers which may be easily and readily attached to manytypes of dispensers and which permits the dispensing of differentlengths of tape speedily and in a positive manner at will. Since thelength of tape is exactly metered and it is not necessary as withordinary machines for the operator to rely on his vision or ability tostop quickly at a given point each time he dispenses a length of tape,my device speeds such dispensing and saves a great deal of tape whichotherwise would be wasted.

My device is relatively inexpensive to manufacture and sell and anynecessary repairs are extremely simple, when necessary.

It is to be understood that modification may be made in my inventionwithout departing from the spirit thereof, and I do not intend to limitmyself otherwise than as pointed out in the claims which follow.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a tape dispenser of the class wherein a shaft is rotated todispense the tape in a length proportional to the degree of rotation,tape metering means comprising a radially projecting arm immovablymounted on the shaft and terminating in an abutment which sweeps in acurved path upon rotation of the shaft, at least one stop removablypositioned within the path of said abutment at a predetermined degree ofrotation of the shaft to stop the rotation of the shaft and meter thetape dispensed, said step comprising a pin manually depressible intosaid path, a latch for holding the said pin in the depressed condition,and means on said abutment for releasing said latch and permitting saidpin to leave said path after the rotation of the shaft has been stopped.

2. In a tape dispenser of the class wherein a shaft is rotated todispense the tape in a length proportional to the degree of rotation,tape metering means comprising a radially projecting arm immovablymounted on the shaft and terminating in an abutment which sweeps througha curved path upon rotation of the shaft, at least one stop removablypositioned within the path of said abutment at a predetermined degree ofretation of the shaft to stop the rotation of the shaft and meter thetape dispensed, said stop comprising a pin manually depressible intosaid path, a latch for holding the said pin in the depressed condition,and means on said abutment for releasing said latch and permitting. saidpin .to leave said path after the rotation of the shaft has beenstopped, and a projection on said abutment and a notch in said pinmutually engageable for holding said pin in said path after said latchis released and until the movement of said arm is reversed.

3. In a tape dispenser of the class wherein a shaft is rotated todispense the tape in a length proportional to the degree of rotation,tape metering means comprising a radially projecting arm immovablymounted on the shaft and terminating in an abutment which sweeps in apathl upon. rotation of, the; shaft, a j plu-v ralitw of stops;manually. movablednto. the, path of: saimabutment; and positioned. at.predator:- mined; deg-reesof: rotation. of: the shaft. to stopthomotationrofi theishaft at predetermined angles of rotation thusmetering the tape:- dispensed, said" stops comprising a plurality ofbuttons selectively depressible to lie inl the-path .oftsaid abutment,means-on said buttons formaintaining theme in the depressed: condition,and: means on said abutment for releasingsaid buttons from thedepressediposition.

4: Means; for, selectively stopping:- the' moves ment cf arr.abntmenttin ,a continuous path-.comprising; pinspositioned" atpredetermined intere valsx;- alongv said path; and manually depressibleinto -,-said::path,- latch means for holding saidpins in 17118.saidpath; and means on" said abutment for releasing said latch meansupon contact with a; pin, a lprojectionrcn said abutment. anda notch imeach of said; pins mutually engageablefor holding said pins-insaid pathafter; said latch means-is: released and until the movement.- ofitheabutment .iszreversed;

;.In1- a tape:- dispenser of: the class; wherein: a shaft: iserotated todispense-the tape. in-a length proportional to the degree of rotation,tape metering; means comprising a. radially; projectingrarmz-vimmovabl-y mounted on. the shaft and terminating in a resilient metallicfinger which sweeps--.-in a: curved path upon rotation of the shaft, atleast one: stop removably positioned Within the path of said finger at apredetermined degree of rotation of the shaft tostop the forwardmovement-01E. said arm and the rotation of. the shaft andthereby meterthe tape dispensed-said finger making resilient contact with said stopduring: forward movement thereof.

6. In ata-pe dispenser of .the class wherein a shaftisirotated todispensethe tape ina length proportional to the degree of rotation,tapemetering means. comprising. a radially "projecting arm immovablymounted on. the shaft and carrying a removable.resilientfinger.terminating in a projection which sweeps through a curved path uponrotation of the shaft, at least one stop removably positioned within thepath of said finger, atapredetermined degree of rotationcf the shaitvtostop thev rotation ofthe shaft by contaotwithsaid finger andmeter thetapedispensed, saidstop comprising a pin-manually depressible into saidpath, a latch forholding said pin. inrthe. depressed condition, saidlatch being adapted to. be. released. upon contact with said finger.end, a. notch in'said pin adapted tobe entered by theprojection. on saidfinger. tohold the. pin .in: said path after. said .latch is releasedand until the movementof saidarm .isreversed.

'7. Ina tape dispenser. of the. classwhereina shaftis rotated todispense the tape. in. a length proportional to the degree ofi rotation,tape metering means comprising a radially projecting arm.immovablymounted on the shaft and carrying a'removab-le'resilient fingerterminating in a" projecetion which sweepsi through a curved path-uponrotation of the shaft; at 'least'one stop ,removably positioned withinthe path of said finger" at a predetermined degree of rotation of theshaft to stop the rotation-ofthe shaft by contact; withnsaidx finger andmeter the tape dispensed, said; step: comprising: a pin: manuam 81depressible intos said; path, atlatch for; holding said pimin thedepressed condition saidrlateh being aadapted; .to.-- be released. uponcontact with said finger end, a notch in said pin adapted tohez'enteredzby the-projection .on saidr finger to hold the pin in ,said.path: atter. said latch...is. 1Y9? leased and: until: the movement of.said; ml is reversed; said projecting. arm being relativelystiff;andwhavinga.portionlpositionedbehind said resilient finger; and:spacedv therefrom: to. limit thevbend of saidfinger.-

8.; In La-tape' dispenserwotthee classiwhereinr a shaft: isrrotated to;dispensethetape inrailength proportional to 1 the. degree: of.rotation,-, tape metering means-comprising a radially projecting armimmovably' mounted cm the; shaft. and: 1761:4- minating ina finger:which sweepsin aicurved pathuponrotation of the shaft, aepluralitg oidepressibleapinsipositionedalong theepath of said finger, said pins;when depressed, .extendmc mto the:-path=of. said finserat predeterminedldegrees oitrotationiof theshaft-ttostop therotation of thefshaftandmeter the tapedispensed;v said pin terminating upwardly in buttonsmarkedwith indicia indicating the length of. tape whichwllhbedispensed-i upon :the depressing, or a given .button; and arrindicating. arm immovably mountedr on said" shafti' and-having a-portionoverriding, said lzmttons to indicate; the. angular movement: ofsaidlshaftz 9. ,The device. claimed, in. claim-1 8 including a scale.adjacent said: buttons. and. positioned adjacent the path: of said,indicatingarm to indicate the. angular. movement of .saidashaft.

10, Tapeemeteringimeansyfor' a tape dispenser of? the class wherein-ashaft, is rotated to /dis pense the. tape in a, length proportionalto,the degree of, rotationofsthe shaft, saidmeanscomprising a radiallyprojecting: armifixedi to the shaft, a resilient fingeronsaidvarm whichsweeps in: a, curved: path upon; rotation. of theshaft; means dorselectively stopping the movement-.01

said finger at" predetermined intervals-.- along said path, said meanscomprising,- pins positioned at predetermined intervals, along, saidpath and manuallydepressible.into.-said path, latchlmeans for. holdingsaid. pins in: said. path,.'and1-,means onsaidlfinger for releasingsaidlatch means upon contact with. a pin, a. projection r on: saidfinger andial-notch .in said ,pin: mutually engageable .for

holding said-pininssaid pathafter. said-latch is released;- andruntil.the movement. of said. ,finger is reversed.

AUGUST C;

